Health Library

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), also known as familial polyposis coli, adenomatous polyposis coli, or Gardner syndrome.
The incidence varies from 1 in 7,000 to 1 in 22,000 live births with males and females equally affected. The term Gardner syndrome has sometimes been used to refer to patients who manifest extracolonic features, such as osteoma and soft tissue tumors in
addition to FAP.

In its classic form, FAP is characterized by the following:

Polyposis. The development of multiple benign (noncancerous) adenomatous polyps (>100) in the colon and rectum, which are
described as having a dense carpet-like appearance on colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Early age of onset. Polyps begin to develop at an average age of 16 years (range of seven to 36 years).

A nearly 100 percent risk of colorectal cancer in the absence of treatment for polyposis (colectomy, or surgery to remove
the colon)

An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance (vertical transmission through either the maternal or paternal line)

Mutations in a tumor suppressor gene called APC, located on chromosome 5, causes most cases of FAP. Virtually all people who
have a mutation in the APC gene that causes the classic form of FAP will develop colorectal polyps by the fourth or fifth
decade of life (without intervention). However, the onset is variable. Consider the following:

Age of onset

People who have a mutant APC gene who will have adenomas in the colon

10 years

15 percent

20 years

75 percent

30 years

90 percent

40 to 50 years

Virtually all people with a mutation who have not had any intervention (such as surgery)

Because FAP has such an early age of onset, cancer screening often begins in childhood. In addition, genetic testing of children
at risk is a special consideration. Usually, genetic tests are not an option for people who are considered minors unless there
is some type of medical benefit available to justify testing. FAP is an autosomal dominant cancer genetic syndrome, which
means that a child whose parent has the condition has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the familial APC gene mutation. There is
equally as likely a chance the child will not inherit the familial APC mutation, which would spare the child from having to
undergo annual examinations (for example, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) if he or she was found to be mutation negative. Thus,
since genetic testing can have an impact on medical management, genetic testing of children at risk of classic FAP is an option
that can be considered.

The APC gene is a tumor suppressor gene, which usually has the job of controlling cell growth and cell death. Everyone has
two APC genes (one on each chromosome #5). When a person has an altered, or mutated, APC gene, his or her risk of developing
polyps and risk of cancer increases.

Both copies of a tumor suppressor gene must be altered, or mutated, before a person will develop polyps or cancer. In FAP,
the first mutation is usually inherited from either the mother or the father and is therefore present in all cells of the
body. This is called a germline mutation. It is not until the second copy of the gene is mutated in, for instance, a colon
cell, that a polyp develops. In order for a benign polyp to become malignant (cancerous), the polyp must acquire mutations
in several additional growth control genes. Loss of both copies of APC is just the first step in the process of cancer development.
What causes these additional mutations to be acquired is unknown. Possible causes include chemical, physical, or biological
environmental exposures or chance errors in cell replication. Since we do not know how to prevent these mutations from occurring,
the treatment for classic FAP is a colectomy, a removal of the colon once polyps develop, but before they become cancerous.

It is important to remember that the APC gene is not located on the sex chromosomes. Therefore, mutations can be inherited
from the mother or the father's side of the family. In about one fourth of cases, the APC mutation is de novo, which means it was not inherited, but occurred for the first time in a family in the person with symptoms. People with de
novo mutations still transmit them in the same inheritance pattern (autosomal dominant), which means there is a 50/50 chance
for them to pass the mutation to a child (regardless of gender).

What are genotype-phenotype variations?

Hundreds of mutations have been found throughout the APC gene. It has long been recognized that some families with APC mutations
have different symptoms than others. Studies comparing symptoms in patients with different and similar APC mutations have
been done to see if there are any correlations. A correlation between specific mutations and symptoms is called a genotype-phenotype correlation. Genotype-phenotype correlation studies for the APC gene have shown that the location of a mutation in the gene
provides some information about the types of FAP health problems a person will have. For instance, mutations in certain parts
of the gene are associated with an increased rate of desmoid tumors (locally invasive tumors that grow aggressively and can
be life-threatening), osteomas (benign bony growths), and epidermoid cysts (skin lesions). Where in the gene a mutation lies
also provides some information about polyp burden (the number of polyps a person will develop). Even though some correlations
exist, there is often variability of symptoms between people who have the same mutation. This is because factors other than
the APC mutation (environmental factors, other genetic factors) contribute to the development of polyps and cancer.

What is attenuated FAP?

An attenuated form of familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) has been identified. Individuals with AFAP develop fewer than
100 adenomatous polyps (average of 30 polyps) and the polyps are located more proximally than in classic FAP. The risk of
developing colon cancer is increased, but the average age of diagnosis is older (about 55 years of age) than in the classic
form. Some of the other health problems associated with classic FAP also occur in the attenuated form, however, cases of congenital
hypertrophy of the retinal pigment (CHRPE) are rarely seen.

Mutations in three specific areas of the APC gene have been associated with the AFAP phenotype. The polyp burden (number of
polyps developed) and the risk of other FAP manifestations varies depending on which area the mutation is located.

The incidence of AFAP is unknown, but thought to be about the same or less than classic FAP.

What is a I1307K mutation?

One APC mutation in particular, called I1307K, is present in 6 percent of the American Ashkenazi Jewish population. This mutation
is associated with a 10 to 20 percent risk of colorectal cancer (slightly more than double the risk of someone else in the
general population). However, people with this mutation do not present with the classic carpet of polyps in the colorectum seen in FAP.

What is MYH-associated polyposis (MAP)?

Mutations in the MYH gene increase the chance for an individual to develop multiple colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer.
Unlike most polyposis and colorectal cancer disorders, MAP is considered to be an autosomal recessive disorder. This means
that individuals with MAP have mutations in both copies of their MYH gene.

The number of polyps in individuals with MAP can range from a few to hundreds. The symptoms of MAP overlap with both familial
adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and attenuated FAP. Genetic testing for mutations in the MYH gene is available and should be considered
in individuals suspected of having FAP or attenuated FAP who do not have mutation in the APC gene. It is not currently known
if individuals with only one MYH mutation have a higher than average risk for colorectal polyps and cancer.